How Inflammation Fuels Hormonal Imbalances + Our Top 10 Anti-Inflammatory Foods!
Inflammation is at the root of nearly every disease process. It contributes to hormonal imbalances, such as HPA-axis dysfunction, hypothyroidism, infertility, PCOS, irregular periods, as well as PMS and menopausal symptoms. The good news? There’s a lot you can do to bring inflammation down!
What Causes Inflammation?
Your diet is one of the most influential factors that either fuels or stomps out inflammation. Eating a highly processed diet filled with seed oils, refined sugars, gluten, dairy and chemically-altered foods is a sure-fire way to inflame your system and therefore contribute to hormonal imbalances! Hidden food intolerances, which we can test for, are another way we can develop inflammation from foods that aren’t serving our individual biology.
Another major cause of inflammation is gut dysbiosis or hidden infections. Parasites, candida, viruses and bacterial imbalances are commonly present when we run functional tests on our clients who are dealing with a variety of conditions, from bloating and low energy to weight gain and brain fog.
In addition to diet and microbiome imbalances, toxins are an other root cause factor for excessive, hidden inflammation. This can come in the form of chemicals in our food or environment, such as scented candles and make-up, wi-fi radiation or even mould in the home or workplace.
How does inflammation fuel hormonal imbalances?
Inflammation is actually a protective mechanism the body uses to keep itself safe. In excess though, inflammation can do a number on our hormones. Inflammation activates the sympathetic nervous system, increasing cortisol, affecting insulin response, digestion, pain levels and putting our system into overdrive, contributing to autoimmunity.
How to Begin Lowering Inflammation for Hormonal Balance:
Upgrade Your Nutrition
Starting with a healthy diet is the foundation for regulating inflammation and balancing hormones. Food is truly medicine and has the ability to cause dis-ease or thriving health!
Work On Your Gut Health
Working on your gut health involves far more than just taking probiotics or eating yogurt (which I don’t recommend as a source of probiotics!). The gut microbiome is a complex mini ecosystem that impacts everything from inflammation levels, energy, digestion, metabolism, mood and hormones. If you’ve been struggling with an irritable gut and are looking for a nutrition-based gut reset that takes a root-cause approach, check out Asher’s 6-Week Gut Restore Program here!
Detox Your Liver
A healthy liver is an essential organ to address for hormonal balance. The liver helps convert food into energy, while regulating blood sugar and inflammation. The liver is also a key player in converting thyroid hormone into its active form, regulating healthy insulin levels, balancing sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone for fertility, as well as promoting healthy weight and libido.
Supplement Strategically
We frequently see people using the wrong type of supplements and poor quality products at that. In our clinic, we use professional-grade products strategically, that target the root of the problem so you can get results, instead of wasting money on products that don’t work.
Get 8 Hours of Quality Sleep Each Night
Don’t underestimate the incredible impact sleep has in aiding the body’s ability to regulate inflammation and hormones. Even one night of lost sleep can increase cortisol and blood sugar levels, creating an inflammatory cascade in its wake.
Practice Stress Reduction Daily
Stress reduction should ALWAYS be a priority. The downsides of stress are often hidden and difficult to spot. Grounding, walking in nature, meditation, breath work, therapy, cold showers and massage therapy are just a few great options that can help lower stress to lower inflammation.
Get these top 10 anti-inflammatory foods in your diet daily!
Turmeric
Blueberries
Ginger
Microgreens
Coconut oil
Wild alaskan salmon
Wild sardines
Garlic
Extra Virgin Olive oil
Bone broth
Ready to restore digestion, reduce the bloat, regulate your rhythms and have more energy? Asher’s comprehensive Gut Restore Program takes a holistic, nutrition-based approach to restoring digestion.
Book your FREE call with Asher today to discover if the 6-Week 1:1 Gut Restore Program is for you!
